Can ETC Still Be Used After Being Removed and Reattached?
1 Answers
No, it cannot be used. The ETC device will become invalid once it is removed by the user because it is equipped with an anti-tamper feature. There is a small switch at the back of the ETC electronic tag, which automatically turns off once the device is peeled off the windshield. Therefore, you must take the vehicle's registration certificate to the ETC service provider for reactivation. ETC Billing Principle: There will be one or more ETC lanes on highways. Through dedicated short-range microwave communication between the vehicle-mounted electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, the system uses computer networking technology to settle transactions with the bank, achieving the purpose of paying tolls without stopping at the bridge or toll station. All of this operates on the principle of "pass first, deduct later." Benefits of Installing ETC: Time-saving: Eliminates the hassle of waiting in line; Green and eco-friendly: Promotes low-carbon travel by reducing noise and exhaust emissions since vehicles do not need to stop at toll stations; Reduces wear and tear: Saves costs by minimizing frequent starts and stops, thereby reducing vehicle wear and fuel consumption; Improves efficiency: Theoretically, ETC lanes can process vehicles 2-3 times faster, making traditional ETC more advanced, faster, and higher-tech. Compared to license plate payment, ETC technology is more mature and advantageous. More policy support: The State Council explicitly stated in the "13th Five-Year Plan for the Development of a Modern Comprehensive Transportation System" that "by 2020, the interoperability of transportation cards in key city clusters will be basically achieved, and the proportion of vehicles equipped with ETC will significantly increase." It also set a target in the "13th Five-Year" comprehensive transportation development indicators: "By 2020, the ETC usage rate for road passenger vehicles should reach 50%." More future possibilities: In addition to continuously improving the convenience of ETC installation and usage rates for passenger vehicles, efforts will also be made to promote ETC usage for trucks and explore deeper integration of the ETC system with smart transportation developments such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication and vehicle-to-infrastructure coordination. This will provide comprehensive travel services for vehicle owners, meaning more application scenarios will support ETC usage. Precautions for Installing ETC: Do not obstruct the driver's view; it is best to install it behind the rearview mirror: Many car models have windshields with a steep incline, which can reduce the driver's field of vision. If ETC installation does not account for this, it may increase blind spots. Installing it behind the rearview mirror on the right side can avoid obstructing the view. Do not interfere with charging: The ETC electronic tag requires power but generally does not need charging or battery replacement because it has a solar panel on the back for self-charging. Therefore, during installation, avoid the blackened areas on the windshield and positions that may block the solar panel. Do not remove it arbitrarily once installed: The button in the middle of the adhesive is an anti-tamper rod connected to a switch. Once the electronic tag is installed on the windshield, the anti-tamper rod is pressed in. If removed arbitrarily, the rod will pop out and trigger the switch, locking the electronic tag and rendering it unusable. You will then need to visit an ETC service point to unlock it. This feature is designed to prevent multiple vehicles from sharing one device. ETC Usage Tips: The ETC transaction sensing range is 8 meters. To avoid paying for the vehicle in front due to its faulty ETC device, maintain a distance of at least 10 meters. The ETC lane recognition speed is 20 km/h; driving too fast may result in failed deductions due to unreadable device information. If using a debit card linked to ETC, insufficient balance may also cause deduction failures.